Words Dept.: entry

I’m not sure which is more irksome. Is it making an extraordinarily stupid video linking the proposed Greater Manchester congestion charge to a violent assault on a young woman, or is it sending out a mud-slinging press release that acknowledges the video has been withdrawn but still seeks to make political capital out of the sorry affair?

Well, here’s the Yes campaign’s press release from yesterday. Note the stinging final sentence. God forbid either side in this increasingly rancorous debate might actually stick to the topic in hand during the weeks leading up to the referendum…

 
YES CAMPAIGN CONDEMNS ‘NO’ VOTE ASSAULT VIDEO
GMMG SUPPORTER’S AD “BEYOND BELIEF”

The Greater Manchester Yes Campaign today condemned as “beyond belief” an advert produced by supporters of the Greater Manchester Momentum Group, which portrays a young woman being assaulted because her father was unwilling to pay the Congestion Charge.

The film was withdrawn after its existence was highlighted by a Yes Campaign supporter.

The advert, filmed at Peel Holding’s Trafford Centre, was apparently produced by Sonassi Media, supporters of the Greater Manchester Momentum Group.

The video purports to show a women [sic] pleading with her father to collect her from the Trafford Centre because she fears she is being followed by a potential assailant. Her father refuses because he states he cannot afford to pay the congestion charge. The woman is subsequently assaulted.

Commenting, Yes Campaign Chair Lis Phelan said:  “For members of the ‘No’ Campaign to use images of violence against women to promote their campaign is beyond belief.  I simply cannot understand how the Trafford Centre allowed such a disgusting video to be produced on their premises.

“Everyone associated with the official ‘No’ Campaign should immediately disassociate themselves from its production.”

Greater Manchester Rape Awareness Week was launched today, November 24.

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